interview scheduling: individual, 2 in a row, or 3 in a row?

[Dulcina]

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How are people trying to book their interviews? I originally booked them all separately, but after realizing how much airfare it would save, I'm now trying to group them. Is putting 3 interviews in a row (in 3 days) unwise because I'll be so tired that my 3rd one will suck? Do you guys think that 2 in a row is ok (in 2 days), or is that even too stressful? What are other people's methods?

 

[NTF]

Congrats on your many interviews. Like alot of questions, this is more about your comfort level and every person is different. I have a similar situation and scheduled mine back to back. My decision mostly hinged on cost and wanting to crank out these interviews earlier rather than later. I personally think that adrenaline would counteract any fatigue I might feel and plus interview days end pretty early (3 or 4ish) so you'll have plenty of time to rest up for the next days. I also think that having interviews back to back would allow you to get into the rhythm of talking about yourself and to other applicants. I say go for it, but again everyone is different.

Good Luck! hope it all works out for you.

 

[Dulcina]

Congrats on your many interviews. Like alot of questions, this is more about your comfort level and every person is different. I have a similar situation and scheduled mine back to back. My decision mostly hinged on cost and wanting to crank out these interviews earlier rather than later. I personally think that adrenaline would counteract any fatigue I might feel and plus interview days end pretty early (3 or 4ish) so you'll have plenty of time to rest up for the next days. I also think that having interviews back to back would allow you to get into the rhythm of talking about yourself and to other applicants. I say go for it, but again everyone is different.

Good Luck! hope it all works out for you.

thanks for the advice! I would love to schedule them back to back if they were in the same city, but my hesitation comes from the fact that I'd have to fly to the new interview city after my 1st day ended at 3 or 4, get in at 6-7, go to a hotel, and rinse and repeat. I guess I'll just try it, and if I dont like it... well I guess itll be too late bc the rest will be scheduled So I guess i'll just try it to save money lol. Thanks!

 

[RSAgator]

I think it's probably wise to schedule a day in between just because it keeps you fresh and you never know what might happen (flights delayed/cancelled). Most interviews are pretty short affairs though so it's not such a big deal scheduling them back to back to back. More a matter of how drained you get preparing for them. Regardless, you've scheduled them so good luck!

 

[JackInTheBox]

I've always felt pretty drained after an interview day, but I've also never had a problem falling asleep the night before an interview, so I think I would be fine scheduling multiple interviews back to back to back.

That said, I haven't done that because of the lag between interview invites, or all of the schools I'm interviewing at have either assigned me dates.

 

[gecko45]

I managed to do two interviews back to back (w/ 5 hours of driving between) at Baylor and UTSW, and it was pretty exhausting. Next month, I have 3 in 3 days (BU, Tufts, and UPitt) that will likely be the end of me.

The decision to schedule this way was based on cost (flying from Houston is expensive), and problems scheduling with my lab job. I figured 3 days out at once is better than scattering them around.

 

[Bretzel]

Well, I certainly hope it is possible. I have 4 in 4 days (in three different states). I'm a bit worried about being ready for each one, but I think if we read up on each school enough before hand, we should survive.

 

[Mdude]

5 in 5 straight days, in 5 different cities in 4 different states. 1 flight necessary. i'm flying in from abroad though so i have to do it this way. it'll be a challenge but adrenaline is where it's at! oh yea, and coffee!

 

[Dulcina]

wow you guys are brave! I feel better about my 2 in 2 days now =)

It is nice saving an entire travel day by putting them back-to-back, esp if theyre on the east coast!

 

[drelizabeth292]

im doing the same thing. since i have the week of oct 13th off from school, i figured that it was the perfect opportunity to get my 3 interviews out of the way.

michigan -monday
chicago -tuesday
atlanta on firday. i will spend the extra time checking out the city and the atlanta aquarium--it is the WORLD'S largest aquarium. 😱

im pretty excited.

good luck everyone!

 

[diosa428]

Traveling is pretty draining. If you're traveling between schools, I wouldn't schedule them back to back, and if I did, I wouldn't do more than 2 in a row. I thought one interview in a week was tiring. And the days are long and boring and you keep hearing the same thing and it wears on you. Trust me, it's not as exciting as it seems.

Also, keep in mind that you might want to have at least 2 suits if you are going to be scheduling interviews that close together b/c if you spill or something happens, you might not have time to get your suit to a tailor or dry cleaner.

 

[thesecretgarden]

Also, keep in mind that you might want to have at least 2 suits if you are going to be scheduling interviews that close together b/c if you spill or something happens, you might not have time to get your suit to a tailor or dry cleaner.

I had two pairs of back-to-back interviews, and there was no problem at all. As for the suit situation, I had pants and a skirt that went with the same jacket, so one day I wore the pants and the next day the skirt. I'm glad I brought both because the lady serving food at one school spilled some chili rellenos on my skirt... 🙁

i will spend the extra time checking out the city and the atlanta aquarium--it is the WORLD'S largest aquarium. 😱

The beluga whales at the aquarium are amazing...I spent hours watching them! Try to go in the morning or early afternoon, though.

 

[majahops]

I'm excited too... I've got Oct. 22, 23, 24, 27 and 29th. All on the East coast and I'm on the west coast. Just couldn't imagine paying the price to break them up.

im doing the same thing. since i have the week of oct 13th off from school, i figured that it was the perfect opportunity to get my 3 interviews out of the way.

michigan -monday
chicago -tuesday
atlanta on firday. i will spend the extra time checking out the city and the atlanta aquarium--it is the WORLD'S largest aquarium. 😱

im pretty excited.

good luck everyone!

 

[Dulcina]

I'm excited too... I've got Oct. 22, 23, 24, 27 and 29th. All on the East coast and I'm on the west coast. Just couldn't imagine paying the price to break them up.

holy crap thats a lot!! i have interviews oct 21/23 in boston, you gonna be in the area? (ill be there starting the night of the 20th i think)